Pulling Tree Stumps Safely

[IslandTractor]

One word: backhoe.

Safer to be sure. Less risk of damage to your tractor and unless you are talking about very small stumps, you'll have a much higher likelihood of success. I think that the idea that tractors are good "stump pullers" is exaggerated. Yes, they can do it and especially for old rotten stumps but the presence of strong lateral roots makes it a very tough job for a tree that has just been cut down.

I use my backhoe just to cut the lateral roots in all four quadrants then I just rock the stump until it pops free. No need to truly dig the stump all the way out.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Drawbar for sure.
This question comes up a lot and there is always a reply or two suggesting that the tree could/should have been pushed over. I have a willow that is too big for that and the roots are probably fanned out and shallow anyway, so I'd be driving on them while pushing against the tree. IF it did work I could get into a nasty tip and flip situation, though I think the physics would prevent it.
There is no reasonable way that I can just snip it off 10 or 12 ft above ground level either (-:
Given that folk are faced with just the stump, are there any techniques for drilling down (maybe WAY down) into the stump and putting a big old thick walled pipe into the hole - then pushing or pulling that over ?

Id think the big ol pipe trick would be effective if it didnt split the stump when forced. To just work with whats there - - If the tree has dead limbs it can be dangerous to push on it, but if healthy it is productive to loosen the stump by pushing the tree back and forth a few times, then tipping it a bit in the fell direction before cutting it. Leave at least a 2' trunk remnant to pull on.

larry​

 

[Toolguy]

If you end up renting something the best thing I know of for removing stumps is an excavator with a thumb. For your application a mini-excavator should be all you need. I have rented them 3 times in the last 15 years and they are amazing. They have a small dozer blade on the front and with that you can push out most anything 3" or smaller. If you can't push it out, just back up and dig it out. With a tracked vehicle you would never have a flat tire from the thorns. Around here a mini-X can be rented for about $300/day. Get it for the weekend and it will be the same price. Then you can use it for 2 days. There may be an extra charge though if you put more than 8 hours on the meter. Here is a pic of how I removed some large pine stumps a couple of years ago.

 

[LBrown59]

Want to pull some tree stumps, 1*What is the best place to attach the chains to the tractor? Have a draw bar and was thinking of using chain hooks at the ends of the bar? Is it better to attach the chains to the loader bucket? Is it better to use straps instead of chains?
Stumps aren't that big; but still don't want to take a chance on damaging anything on the tractor.
Thanks for any ideas or thoughts.

1*I doubt your tractor will pull them.
I had a Dozer about the size of a JD 450 here and thought getting out 3 or 4 8 to 12 inch stumps would be a piece of cake for it.
Changed my mind after watching it struggle getting them out.
Made me pretty proud of the performance of my bx23 and BH at clearing stumps though.
== L B ==

 

[LBrown59]

Is it better to use straps instead of chains?
Stumps aren't that big; .

Never use straps or cable for pulling.
A snapped cable or strap can quickly become a killer or lead to serious injury.

 

[LBrown59]

Cut down the trees several weeks ago and now I need to get rid of the stumps.

Bet you made the mastake of cutting them off close to the ground instead of leaving the stumps 4 to 6 feel high for leverage in pushing them over with the fel of a tractor didn't you?

 

[LBrown59]

I have an old '54 Dodge Power Wagon with a winch and have been pulling the stumps just fine using the winch.

This is scary ,
if the cable should snap it could cut you into or amputate legs or arms.
__________________

 

[LBrown59]

There's some posts in the safety forum on this including at least one fatality report. Stump grinder or a backhoe would be much safer.

MY BX 23 worked great grubbing about .5 acres for me.

 

[SCB]

Dig them out. Pulling is very difficult for larger trees. I attached a pic of the largest I have dug out.

 

[mike69440]

Dig them out. Pulling is very difficult for larger trees. I attached a pic of the largest I have dug out.

Naw, that's tough to buy, are you sure there isn't a CAT 330C somewhere near? But then again, they built pyramids with logs and ropes.